The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will convene on Tuesday, June 25, to observe the moon sighting for the Islamic month of Muharram, which marks the beginning of the new Islamic calendar year. The meeting will be led by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, with corresponding sessions also scheduled for zonal committees in their respective regions.
As per the Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council, the new moon will be born on June 25, 2025, at 3:32 PM (Pakistan Standard Time). However, experts say the chances of sighting the moon on Wednesday evening remain slim.
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By the time the sun sets on the 29th of Zilhajj, the moon will be over 27 hours old, increasing the likelihood of it being visible across Pakistan on Thursday evening, June 26.
Given this timeline, it is anticipated that the Islamic month of Muharram will commence on Thursday night, meaning the first day of Muharram would fall on Friday, June 27. Consequently, Ashura (the 10th of Muharram) would be observed on Saturday, July 6.
The federal government typically declares public holidays on Muharram 9 and 10 to observe Ashura. If the moon is sighted on June 26, the public holidays would fall on Friday and Saturday (July 5 and 6), which would overlap with the weekend.
Youm-e-Ashura is commemorated annually across Pakistan with solemnity and reverence, honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A.) and his loyal followers during the historic Battle of Karbala.
On this day, mourning processions such as Taazia and Zuljanah are held nationwide, while religious scholars and speakers reflect on the life, teachings, and martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A.) and the profound lessons of the Karbala tragedy.
